Rosenberg announces $100K for Warwick Town Forest

WARWICK — While much of Warwick is made up of protected forest, the town forest is about to get even bigger. State Senate President Stan Rosenberg announced Friday the town will receive $100,000 to protect and expand its forest property.

According to a press release from Rosenberg, the money was allocated from an earmark Rosenberg secured in the 2014 Environmental Bond Bill.

“We must continue to be leaders on conservation and environmental stewardship to protect our Commonwealth for generations to come,” Rosenberg is quoted as saying in the release. “Making an environmental impact starts directly in our communities, and I have been a strong advocate for this funding, which will go toward preserving the Warwick Town Forest.”

According to the release, the Warwick Town Forest has the largest population of black gum trees in Massachusetts. The town will use the $100,000 to acquire an additional 97 acres to protect the tree species.

Town Coordinator David Young said the town acquired the “gum swamp” a few years ago with financial assistance from the state. The proposed acquisition, he said, is land without road frontage located adjacent to that parcel and to Warwick’s existing town forest.

Young said the town is very appreciative for Rosenberg’s support, which will allow the town to invest in its forest.

“Our forests are very important to our town, and our experience is that our revenue from managed forests is greater than tax revenue from forest lands,” he said.

Currently, Young said, the town is working to finalize negotiations with the landowner, with the purchase and sale agreement not yet complete.